The EVs you need to know about - now!

We look at the electric cars that are charging down under.

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Like it or not, electric cars are the future.

Just this month Volkswagen announced its goal is to sell 22 million electric vehicles by the end of the next decade, Audi hinted the next R8 supercar is set to be battery powered, Mercedes-Benz Australia gave interested customers a first taste of its EQ C and Hyundai launched the Kona electric into local showrooms. Change is happening, and it’s happening fast.

The electric car isn't a flight of fantasy, or a quirky green-tinged alternative anymore, with a new wave of electric vehicles charging onto Australian roads in the next 18 months. So here are eight EVs that you need to know about now.

Hyundai Kona Electric

It’s the South Korean brand’s newest and most expensive model, and arguably its most advanced. The Kona Electric is powered by the company’s second-generation electric drivetrain with power outputs and driving range similar to a conventional model.

While it costs significantly more - priced from $59,990 (plus on-road costs) - it delivers 150kW/395Nm and can drive up to 449km on a fully battery, making it a tempting prospect for urban commuters or small families.

Its combination of range, performance and price means it stacks up well against its current EV competition (like the Tesla Model S and Model X as well as the Jaguar I-Pace). For those sick of waiting for a Tesla Model 3 - seen by many as the next step in affordable EVs - they may find it convenient to head into a Hyundai dealership today and drive out in a Kona Electric.

Arguably the Kona EV's biggest competition will come from within its own ranks with the Hyundai Ioniq Electric. It’s actually the cheapest EV on sale today, starting at just $44,490 (plus on-road costs), but its range is roughly half that of the Kona, at approximately 230km. While that is realistically enough for most drivers to live with, it may be a psychological barrier for some which will turn them towards the Kona.

Jaguar I-Pace

Tesla stole a march on the entire car industry by creating a market for luxury electric vehicles. But the rest of the premium brands are catching up, and Jaguar was the first to get a car into showrooms.

The I-Pace went on sale in Australia at the end of 2018 and gives people considering a Tesla a genuine alternative - even if the American and British brand’s aren’t traditional rivals.

Priced from $123,814 (plus on-road costs) for the entry-level S EV400 and stretching to $145,723, the leaping cat is competitively priced against the Model X.

While it straddles the line between SUV and passenger car with its low-slung and uniquely shaped body, the I-Pace is a practical five-seater with a real-world range of more than 400km. It also comes with the heritage and image of one of the motoring industry’s most evocative brands, which cannot be dismissed in the cut-throat world of prestige car sales.

The weight of the batteries has an impact on its handling but Jaguar has still been able to instil in the I-Pace with a similar level of performance and dynamic prowess we’ve come to expect from the brand that created the E-Type and XJ.

Nissan Leaf

The Nissan could lay claim to being the most successful EV to date, with more than 400,000 examples of the battery-powered small hatch selling around the world since it first launched nearly a decade ago.

The second-generation is due to reach Australia in August, which is well after its promised on-sale date of late 2018. But the reason for the delay is its popularity in other markets meant Nissan Australia couldn’t get supply - which is a good problem to have for the Japanese car maker in the grand scheme of things.

The Leaf's popularity is simple - it’s affordable (especially in markets with government incentives for EVs), it’s practical (it will seat five and has a sizeable boot), it has a 270km range and is backed by Nissan’s reputation for dependable motoring.

The lack of government support for EVs means a starting price of $49,990 (plus on-road costs) is more than an equivalent-sized small car, but it does undercut the Kona Electric and Tesla Model 3. Plus, the Leaf has the ability to do something no other EV can - pump electricity back into the power grid.

That means, eventually, owners will be able to take advantage of fluctuations in the power supply and sell back to the grid when demand is high and recharge in the off-peak periods when electricity is at its cheapest.

Tesla Model 3

Few cars have enjoyed as much hype as the Model 3, Tesla’s smallest and most affordable EV. First revealed back in March 2016 it isn’t due to go on sale locally until later this year (with an exact launch date yet to be announced) which means plenty of would-be owners have waited a long time to get into the brand’s most affordable model.

If its success overseas is any indication it could be a popular choice for those looking to make the EV switch; in 2018 it was the world's best-selling EV with 138,000 sold.

Details are scarce at present with pricing yet to be revealed by Tesla Australia but it’s available in the US in two different specifications, with a standard model claiming a 354km range and the more expensive long range going 498km between trips to the powerpoint.

According to Tesla’s charismatic, Twitter-friendly chief, Elon Musk, pricing is expected to be inline with the US plus local charges. That points to an approximate $50,000 starting price for the entry-level model with single motor, which has just gone into production, while the higher grade twin-motor models could stretch to closer to $100k.

Given the brand’s recent fluctuations in pricing it’s hard to predict exactly how much it will cost when it does land. What’s more certain is the reputation Tesla has brought to EVs should help make the Model 3 a success down under.

Mercedes-Benz EQ C

Formula One champ Lewis Hamilton liked the new electric SUV from the three-pointed star he plans to add one to his vast collection of supercars.

He may be a company man but it still speaks to the quality and technology loaded into the first of 10 new EVs from Mercedes coming in the next few years. It will go on sale locally in the October of this year, with a price tipped to be in the low six-figures.

While based on the existing GLC SUV, the EQ C gets a pair of electric motors to give it an impressive 300kW of power and 765Nm of torque, while the lithium-ion batteries are good for approximately 400km of range.

Like the Jaguar, it will bring the reputation of one of the automotive world’s biggest powerhouses, which should give buyers still uncertain about taking the plunge on their first EV the faith to take that next step.

Audi e-tron

Not to be out-done by arch-rival Mercedes, Audi will follow the EQ C with a direct rival in the first quarter of 2020.

The e-tron quattro, to give its full name, is a five-seat SUV that will lead the four-ring brand into a battery-powered future. Within the next five years, Audi showrooms will include the e-tron Sportback, Q4 e-tron and performance-focused e-tron GT four-door coupe.

Like the Benz it has a pair of electric motors good for 265kW (and 300kW on overboost) and 664Nm of torque. Its range hasn’t been finalised yet but it’s expected to be good for more than 400km; which is on par with the Mercedes and Jaguar.

Pricing isn’t confirmed but it’s tipped to start at approximately $140,000, which will put it in the ballpark for this time of premium electric SUV.

Styling is what will set the e-tron apart from its rivals, featuring the same edgy lines as the rest of the Audi range but with an even bolder, more futuristic look - both inside and out.

Porsche Taycan

One of Tesla’s smartest moves was putting a spotlight on the performance benefits of electric cars. First came the Lotus-based Roadster and then ‘Ludicrous Mode’ in the Model S, which made it one of the quickest cars on the planet and made people stop thinking of EVs as glorified golf carts.

Porsche is likely to redefine that mindset when the Taycan is revealed in September before reaching Australia by the end of September 2020. The German brand has built its entire image around high-performance cars and the Taycan will be no exception.

It has not only set the target of being faster than the Model S, but also wants the performance to be consistent and repeatable. Beyond that, Australia’s own former F1 ace Mark Webber (pictured) was drafted in to help tune the dynamics of the chassis to make sure it handles like a Porsche, as well as lending his expertise to the delivery of the power.

It will also introduce a new 800-volt electrical system that will allow for what the brand calls ‘turbo charging’ - up to 80 per cent charge in just 15-minutes. Porsche Australia will roll out 350kW charging outlets at its dealers before expanding to destination charging to allow owners to explore in the Taycan.

Pricing isn’t confirmed yet but the brand has said it will sit above Cayenne but below Panamera in the range - meaning a starting price somewhere around $200k. Once the car is unveiled in September and the price is set the Australian order book will open and it’s expected to be a rush to secure a car, with supply restricted globally. Porsche initially anticipated building just 20,000 Taycans each year but greater initial interest could see double that figure - making it one of Porsche's best-selling models.

The Taycan won't be the only Porsche EV with plans to build a Cross Turismo wagon version and then transfer the tech to the Macan and Cayenne in their next-generation models.

Volkswagen ID.

With its reputation damaged by the diesel emission scandal Volkswagen quickly shifted its focus to build an electrified future. As mentioned at the start, it wants to sell 22 million EVs within the next decade while offering 70 battery-powered models across the entire VW Group. Those are massive numbers, given that only 1.2 million EVs were sold around the world last year.

The Volkswagen brand itself will lead the charge, and while it falls outside of timeline of the next 18 months, the upcoming range of ID. models are too important to ignore. The ID. hatch will make its global debut later this year at the 2019 Frankfurt motor show, but given demand in other markets it won’t reach Australia until later 2021 or early 2022.

It will debut the VW Group’s ‘MEB’ electric vehicle platform that will underpin a variety of models. VW will follow the ID. with the ID. Crozz SUV, ID. Vizzion sedan and ID. Buzz; the re-born electric Kombi. While campervan fans will love the Buzz if it keeps the retro-styling, it will also double as a light commercial vehicle which could have a major impact on VW’s ability to hit its ambitious sales targets.

Technical details of the production ID. are being kept under wraps until closer to the launch but the company has indicated it will be able to offer different levels of batteries that will have an impact on price and range; less batteries equaling a more affordable starting price.

Are you ready to go electric?

Putting aside the costs, because not everyone can afford a $100k luxury SUV or even a $45k small car, there are several other questions you need to ask before making the switch.

The first one is; how much do you use your car? If you’re driving hundreds of kilometres each day or spend every weekend getting out of town into the country or down the coast, then an EV is probably not for you; at least not your only car. But, if like most people, you have a regular commute to and from work and generally stay local on weekends then there’s no reason for you to feel any range anxiety about this new generation of EVs.

Another major factor in preparing for an electric car is working out how you’re going to charge it. Obviously a garage is incredibly helpful for that, because if you don’t have off-street parking it may be tricky running an extension cord down the road.

If you do have somewhere to park and charge your car you’ll need to invest in a high-voltage wallbox that are typically sold via the dealer and installed by an electrician, allowing you to charge the car faster than via a regular power socket.

The catch for EVs in Australia at present is the majority of our electricity supply comes from coal-fired power stations, which negates much of the environmental benefits of switching. However, there are green energy options or you could install solar panels to generate your own power for your car.

The Electric Vehicle Council has recently introduced an online calculator that allows you to see what savings you can make by switching to an EV. Check it out here: EV cost calculator

Stephen has been interested in cars as long as he can remember. Speed is in the blood as his great-grandfather was a motor racing pioneer in Australia, establishing several land speed and racing records.
Based in Sydney, professionally he has been writing about everything on four-wheels since 2001…

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28 COMMENTS

Deep Thought — 28 Mar 2019 19:18

What people should know about EVs is in Australia they are powered by fossil fuels which are more polluting than equivalent ICE cars. Right now at 7PM stand ...
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